Going into this year’s historic All Ireland final between Cork and Tipperary, there is a huge anticipation that it could be the most explosive goal-getting final of all time.
Cork’s new-found identity is their hunger to savage defenses with three pointers — just ask poor Dublin after conceding seven, while Tipperary have surprised everyone, from Clare in Munster to Kilkenny in the other All Ireland semi-final with their ability to conjure up goals — they got four in that game — when they are most needed.
So as these two famed Munster counties appear for the first time in the All-Ireland final, expect a goal avalanche despite the best laid plans of both management teams to cut down on their opponent’s firepower.
So, history awaits us as the majestic Rebels will be overwhelming favorites following their 20-point decimation of Dublin to complete a hat-trick of League, Munster and All Ireland titles against a Liam Cahill led Tipp side which has come from virtually nowhere this season to be one of only two teams still standing.
If there was one big plus about the Tipp goals, it was the fact that they got them when they needed them most unlike Cork who ran in the last three or four playing exhibition stuff.
So that’s the argument for Tipp - they can find goals when they are wanted. They have done it all season, except against Cork.
Tipperary’s Jason Forde, left, celebrates scoring his side’s third goal against Kilkenny with John McGrath. [Inpho/Leah Scholes]
In late April they were beaten by 4-27 to 0-24 in the round robin series of the Munster championship, having previously gone under to the men in red in the league final on a scoreline of 3-24 to 0-23. Put those two scorelines together and Cork have managed a total of 72 points with goals converted as against 47 for Tipp, with no goals scored. This tots up to an aggregate loss of 22 points for Liam Cahill’s men.
From the above, we can see that tests don’t come much bigger than overturning those two most recent scores as they seek to shock the Rebels, who are money-on favorites to bring Liam back to Leeside for the first time since 2005.
A Cork neighbor told me this week of having a drink in a city center pub in Dublin coming back from their huge semi-final win. By 10 o’clock, there were fans bedecked in red and white talking not just of victory this year, but about how their team could emulate Limerick and Kilkenny previously by winning five in a row.
So much for keeping feet on the ground!
Despite that, there is no denying Cork are fearsome and should win this game handily unless they believe their own hype and become careless or unless each Tipp player performs the game of their lives.
I don't expect anything like that to happen nor do I expect a victory margin on Sunday that is similar to the semi-final win over Dublin…all that said, I can’t see anything other than an emphatic Cork win.
Meanwhile, the bookies, who seldom get big match verdicts wrong, tend to agree, and Paddy Powers have Cork at 2/5 with Tipperary a distant 11/4 in the betting.
3 Tipp players to watch
JOHN McGRATH
John McGrath is one of the veterans of this young Tipp team and his leadership from the full-forward berth has been central to the team’s double-quick development this season.
Younger brother of Noel, who is likely to come on and play a crucial part in the game, the Loughmore-Castleiney dual player, 31 later this month, has always been a class hurler. He has added to his game by bringing those around him into play with his deft runs and passes.
It has helped another veteran Jason Forde flourish on one side and teenager Darragh McCarthy has come along in leaps and bounds at top of the left.
This trio will be the primary diggers for goal bullion in this game and if they hit form, with McGrath wielding the baton in his hand, it could help cause a major shock.
JASON FORDE
The 31-year-old Nenagh man scored the most precise goal of all among the 13 in the All-Ireland semi-finals two weekends ago when his flick over goalkeeper Eoin Murphy’s head proved a major fillip for the Munster men. He has an eye for scoring and as happened in the Kilkenny match, is unfazed when asked to take over the free-taking duties.
The Silvermines ace has really stood up this season and sometimes when he moves out the field, he can help unlock the tightest of defenses with his passing and ability to shoot points from acute angles.
EOGHAN CONNOLLY
If Tipp are to defy logic and take Liam MacCarthy home, they will need their defense to play way, way above expectations for the course of the 70 minutes.
A young man doing that all season is Eoghan Connolly, who has shown maturity well beyond his years with his displays in Munster and against Kilkenny. When wearing the No 3 shirt but operating at center back, he shot three magnificent first half points from play to bolster his side’s confidence at a time when teammates were struggling to get into the game.
This time around, there is no doubt his primary duty will be to put the shackles on one of the star Cork forwards - whether that is namesake Alan Connolly at the edge of the square or Brian Hayes nearby or Shane Barrett further out on the “forty.”
3 Cork players to watch
PATRICK HORGAN
Ask any neutral why they might want Cork to win on Sunday next and many will answer that it would mean Patrick Horgan would finally get an elusive Celtic Cross to bring down the curtain on his glittering scoring career.
“Hoggie,” as he is known, has been a scoring sensation for the Rebels ever since he made his debut 17 years ago against Dublin.
The 37-year-old has the distinction of being the No 1 scorer in the history of hurling across league and championship and it would be fitting for the Glen Rovers man to exit with a winner’s medal in his hand, after giving so much sterling service.
As well as being the team’s free-taker, Hoggie has been given a new lease of life among the young forward line where he has the ability to create goal chances, such as the first goal scored by Tim O’Mahony when the veteran corner man put the chance on a golden platter for his midfielder.
ALAN CONNOLLY
The hottest property in the game going into this year’s All Ireland final, having routed Dublin for 3-2, as well as making two goals, in a sensational 70 minutes during the semi-final at Croke Park.
Alan will turn 24 on Saturday next so a win on Sunday would be a great belated birthday present for the business information systems student.
Big, strong, fast and clever, he is unmarkable at the moment and heaven help whichever Tipp defender is given the job of trying to keep him quiet. After a fine body of work across the league, Munster and the All-Ireland series, he is nailed on as an All-Star for this year.
BRIAN HAYES
If a team manages to keep Connolly on a tight reign, then beside him there is a giant of a man with the speed of a gazelle and the deft touch of a Jimmy Barry-Murphy to cause headaches.
Brian Hayes is at the height of his power at 24 and with a 6’4” frame and an ability to flick the ball into the running paths of colleagues, the St Finbarr’s man is a scourge for even the most expert of defenders.
Like Connolly, he has been red-hot all season and his two goals against Dublin reminded fans that he is quickly turning into the complete package as a target man and finisher.
